Tobias Smator lives down his late father's execution by avoiding the spotlight-and responsibility. He doesn't mind what people think of him as long as they leave him alone. Still, in this unremarkable half-life he's fashioned for himself on deceptively low-tech Rimania, he's not safe from political intrigue. Someone wants him dead. Alliance operative Geln Marac's orders for his first assignment were simple: Stay uninvolved. Those orders go out the window, however, when he delivers an antidote to save Tobias from death by poisoning. His reward? Possible betrayal that lands him in the hands of police interrogators. To protect the Alliance, Geln resorts to a temporary mindwipe. Tobias is fascinated by the amnesiac man who saved his life. But Geln has attracted the attention of the high-powered Lord Eberly, who would use him as a pawn. Rather than sacrifice Geln to the political wolves, Tobias chooses to embrace his heritage. Geln's memory reawakens to a precarious situation with no source of protection-except Tobias. There's only one way forward for both of them. Trust-or die.